knight



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W H KNIGHT .ELBGTRIU RAILWAY- PatentedJuly 7,1891.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

W. H.- KNIGHT, ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

No. 455,340. Patented July 7, 1891.

"m: NORRIS veins 0a.. MOTKHJTND', msmum-ou, a c.

bed and conduit in section.

UNITED STATES PATENT GEE-ICE.

\VAL'IER H. KNIGHT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 455,340, dated July '7,1891.

Application filed May 11, 1885. Serial No. 165,102. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER H. KNIGHT, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York city, State of New York, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Electric Railways, of which the following isa specification.

My invention relates to contact devices for electric railways, adaptedto maintain the electrical connection between a moving vehicle and anexposed line conductor substantially parallel with the railway. Inpractice it is impossible to always maintain an exact parallelismbetween the track of the railway and the line conductor, and inconsequence one extremity of a contact device must follow a path alongthe conductor, while the opposite extremity must follow anirregular1y-divergent path traced by its point of connection with thevehicle.

My invention consists in a contact device carried by the vehicle havingits outer extremity pressed into contact with the line conductor andguided along it and its inner extremity having a free laterallymovingand swiveling connection to the vehicle, permitting all thenecessary movements to accommodate the device to the irregular pathsfollowed by its opposite ends, respectively.

I have shown the invention applied to a railway in which the lineconductor is inclosed in a slotted conduit, the conduit serving to.protect the conductor and its. slot, both affording access to theconductor and guiding the outer extremity of the contact device alongthe path followed by the conductor; and my invention further consists inconstructions adapting the contact device to this specific form ofrailway.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an end view of a car orlocomotive, with road- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the plow inposition. Fig. 2 is a section of the plow on the line 2 2, Fig. 1, andshows also a section of the conduit on a lineatrightanglestoitslongitudinaldirection,and also a cross-section of theplow. Fig. 3 shows the point of attachment of the plow-support to thelocomotive. Fig. 1 is a side view of the plows when thrown out of theslot by an obstruction in the conduit or the derailment of thelocomotive. Fig. 5 shows modified forms of shoes or brushes for makingcontact. Fig.

cuiting connections.

In the drawings, 0 represents the slotted conduit having the mainconductors A A, which will usually be of opposite polarity, supported oninsulating-pins from its sides. These conductors have bare contactfaces, against which a contactas a shoe or brushconnected with thelocomotive constantly presses.

L represents the axle of an electric locomotive, and M one of the wheelson the track T. This locomotive is intended to be'propeiled by anelectric motor connected to the wheels in a well-known manner, the motorbeing in constant electrical connection with the stationary conductorsin the conduit by means of the plows and flexible conductors, ashereinafter described. The contact devices, one or both, &re carried bythe vehicle, whereby their weight is taken off of the supply-conductorsand wear offthe latter is avoided. To obtain a steady movement of thecontact devices or plows, I suspend them from the truckframingindependently of the spring-support car-body in the following manner:

The axle L terminates, as usual, in a journal, which turns in box N,between which and the body of the car is the spring V. To the box N, Ifasten a rod 0, which extends first forward to the edge of the wheel,and then transversely across the car to the box on the opposite end ofthe axle, which is a counterpart to the one shown at N. A second crossbar 0 is fastened to the tie-rod 0 that extends between -the forward andhinder boxes on thesame side of the car. To the middle points of thesebars 0 0, respectively, are fixed the uprights Q Q, having slots attheir upper ends and supporting between them the bar R, whose verticalheight can be readily adjusted by means of the slots and bolts by whichit is connected to Q and Q. Any other adjustable connection may be usedor the adjustment introduced at any other point, its object being toraise or lower the contact parts relatively to the fixed conductors A A.The bar R is bent into the shape of a W to accommodate the axle L, whichpasses beneath it. From the two lower extremities of the W TOO aresuspended, respectively, the two plows P P.

Referring now to the improvements made by me in the construction of thecontact device and its attachment to the car, which are described indetail hereinafter, I have provided in general a primary part consistingof an upright arm or shank, which is connected to the car by a loose oruniversal joint, comprising both vertical and horizontal axes, andpermitting freedom of movement in all directions from the point ofattachment of the contact device as a center; also, a secondary partwhich is hinged to the first-named part and has an independentup-and-down movement relatively thereto in a vertical plane, and, third,a spring which maintains a pressurecontact between the contact deviceand sup- .ply-conductor without interfering with the free movement ofthe contact device as a whole. This is accomplished by arranging thespring so that it bears upon the two parts of the contact device andpartakes of the common movement which both parts have. Each of the plowsconsists of a shank extending through and wider longitudinally than thetransverse width of the slot.- WVithin and protected by this shank is aconducting-core E, which is preferably a fiat strip of steel, and whichcarries at its upper end a bindingpost K, and at its lower end carries afootpiece 6, connected to it by a hinge within the conduit, and aspring, (shown in detail in Fig. 6,) and having screwed to it theremovable contact-shoe .I. The tendency of the springhinge is to throw 6up in a vertical plane into a position parallel, or nearly so, with Ebut in operation it. is bent down and the lower end caught under thelower edge of A or A. It will be seen that the part c and shoe J haveconstantly a tendency to rotate about the axis of the hinge, which isparallel with longitudinal conductors A and A, but that this tendency isinterrupted by J coming in contact with the conductor. This tendencywill be maintained whatever the position of the axis, so that E can havea wide range of vertical play without affecting the contact of the shoeand the conductor. The various positions the shoe may assume are shownin the full and dotted lines of Fig. 2. The core E, being the carrier ofthe main current, is carefully insulated by the sheath 1), which ispreferably made of vulcanized fiber rendered waterproof by being soakedin oil, paraffine, or like material. On one side the sheathing 7)projects down behind the core, as at 11', forming a protection againstaccidental contact of E or c with the opposite conductor. The core E isslipped into the sheath b and the whole then slipped into a guard G, ofchilled castiron, which completely surrounds it, transverse pins 13 p,of insulating material, being driven through holes left in the materialfor that purpose.

Whenever guard G becomes worn by friction against the edge of the slot,it is easily connection rod or bar.

removed by driving out pins 1) p, when it may be turned end for end, sothat the wear will come in a different place, or renewed entirely. Theseguards,being madeas independent castings of chilled iron, are cheap,easily replaced, and will wear longer than any other substance.

The principle of a removable or wearing piece that protects theinsulation and can be readily replaced independently of the insulatedcore and the supporting parts can be carried out in various ways, theone I have shown being the one at present deemed the best.

Around the guard G is placed a clamp F, held by screws at d d andprovided with an upright f, which terminates in a hook that catches intoan eye or hole in R. The joint S, formed by the hook and eye, issomewhat loose, so as to allow the plow to swing in any horizontaldirection, as well as to have a swivel movement about a vertical axis,which in this case passes through the plow itself, and at the same timeany vertical movement is prevented. This swivel movement, together withthe lateral movement of the swiveling axis, allows the plow, whichextends for some distance longitudinally in the narrow slot, to moveeasily around curves in the line. The lateral swing about a longitudinalaxis permits considerable play of the car on the track without affectingthe plow and the contact; It also permits the plow to be placed at somedistance from the center of the car.

In my patent, No. 305,731, granted September 23,1884,I have shown andclaimed a plow with bearings allowingit a lateral movement, which inthat case was a horizontal one, the plow sliding along the axle, whichserved as a guide and support. In the present case thelateral movementis about a center formed by the suspending-joint. The longitudinal swingof the plow about a transverse axis allows the plow to come out of theslot readily in case of accident, as will be hereinafter described. Oneach side of each plow is a lug m, on which is pivoted one end of theclevis g, which is of asuflicient width to embrace the plow. The twoclevises of the two plows are linked together at Z, forming a looseuniversal joint between them. The two plows thus connected are heldtightly before and behind by flexible draw-chains II II, which areconnected to some fixed part of the locomotive and which may be replacedby any flexible The chains are attached to the plow at a point justabove the slot, which gives it a great mechanical advantage in drawingthe plow. In this form of device it will thus be seen that thehook-and-eye joint is not relied upon to hold the contact device in aposition to engage the conductor, but that this function is performed bythe flexible mechanical drawing connections H H. These connectionspartake of the lateral movement of the contact device, and by reason of.their attachment to the plow above the slot at a point below and to oneside of the joint, which may be considered as a fulcrum for the plow,the natural tendency of the contact device to tip up on meeting anobstruction is resisted by the pull upon the chain, the hook-and-eyejoint serving as means-tohold the plow down against riding up bodilyaway from the conductor. This chain is made .10 comparatively weak, sothat when'any obstacle is encountered by the plow or by the shoe itwillbreak, and the plowswill be thrown out of theslot without injury in amanner that will be now described; but the contact device will notbecome detached'from the vehicle.

Just within the lips of theslot, which are formed by the steel rails Itk, are the two wooden'rails I I, bolted to k k and forming an insulatingguard or lining. When it is-nec-- zo essary to insert a plow in theslot, the 7 shoe and foot 6 are bent down until and E arein line witheach other, when it is slipped into ..-the slot, the shoe being thinnerthan the width of the slot. The breadth of the shoe is somewhat greaterthan the distance from wooden guard I to conductor A, so that inentering the .shoe first springs out against I andthen slides off untilit comes in contact with the face of A, and finally comes around 0 underAtoits normal position. WVhen the shoe is in its normal position, only avery se-' Vere accident-such as derailment or' complete obstruction ofthe slot or conduit-can interrupt the contact between it and the 0011-ductor.

In vthc case of obstruction the draw-chain breaks, as above described,and then both 7 plows turn on axes S S, forming with: theirconnectingclevises a parallel-link movement,

40 as shown in Fig. 4. The shoes leave the con- '50 motor, the circuitbeing completed during normal operation from one conductor, as A, to theshoe, to core E, to binding-post K, and from thence through the motor to.the other plow, and thence to fr he other conductor.

Both guards G are connected to the metal of thecar, so that when shoes Jcome in contact with them the circuit is completed, as shown in diagramFig. 7, between the terminals of the motor, which, being driven by themomentum of the car, acts as a generator, and

working through a circuitof low resistance a powerful brake is instantlygiven to the momentum of the car by consumption of its energyin workingthe generator. WV henever the locomotive is derailed, the plows arepulled out of the slot without breakage of the chain.- After the plowsare out of theslot they ride along on the corner of guard G, and noinjury is done to the core or joint. It will be seen that thisarrangement of plows will work equallyvwell in whichever direction thevehicle may be proceeding, as the plows can swing about their transverseaxes in either direction with equal facility.

An equivalent to shoe Jand footeis shown in Fig. 5, J representing abrush instead ofa shoe, and J representing a shoe fixeddirectly onto aprolongation of E. Any other device adapted to give way underanobstruction may replace chains H H.

It will appear by a consideration ofthe devicedescribed above, first.that the contactpiece is held positively in contact with the lineconductor by a spring reacting on the rigid part of the contact deviceand ultimately upon the vehicle itself, and that this spring actionisattained withoutinterfereuce with the flexibility of connection betweenthe contact device and its support, which is essential to itscomplicated movements when in action. This is accomplished in theexample shown by having the upright shank or primary part capable of afree horizontal movement and provided with a secondary contact-piecehaving an independent spring movement. The spring itself partakes of themovementoof the primary. part whilegiving' the secondary part an upwardpressure against the lineconductor. I believe myself to be the first todevise a practicable contact device for an electric railway which iscarried on the vehicle, positively pressed by a spring into contact withthe line conductor, and provided with all essentialmovementsfor'accommodating itself to the inequalities of its work. j

Secondly, it will be apparent that the contact device, while supportedin such -a mannor as to have all essential movements relatively to thevehicle, is attached thereto by a flexible chain or similar device,which extends fore and aft to give it a firm drawing attachment withoutinterference with the relative movements. This is also of my invention.

Thirdly, it will be evident that the free movement of the rigid contactdevice, which Ihave termed a swiveling movement, about a vertical axismay be attained by a11y'com-. bination offreely-moving parts which willgive the requisite play. shown the vertical axis is substantially.coin-r cident with the axis of the plow; but this is.

not essential, and, while the hookuand eye combines both thelateralmovement with the swivel movement, these two movementsmayobviously be at different points, thisappli-cation being-broadly, for acontact :device haviin gthese two movements. The plow has also. ayielding contact. with the line conductor," which maintains theelectrical connection;

whatever the jointed movements may .be.;.;-.-r; Iclaim.' H i 1. Thecombination, in an electric railway,

In. the instance;

of a supply-conductor and an electrically- .propelled vehicle with acontact device congagement between the contact device andsupply-conductor, but not interferii'ig with the free movement of thecontact device about the vertical axis.

2. The combination, in an electric railway, of a supply-conductor and anelectricallypropelled vehicle with an intermediate contact deviceconnected to the vehicle by a joint permitting freedom of movementaround a vertical axis, said contact device comprising a spring-actuatedportion having an up-anddown movement to correspond to irregularities inthe line of the conductor, whereby a pressure contact with thesupply-conductor is maintained without interfering with the free lateralmovement about the vertical axis.

3. The combination, in an electric railway, of a supply-conductor and anelectricallypropelled vehicle with an intermediate contact deviceconnected to the vehicle by a joint permitting freedom of movementaround a Vertical axis, said contact device comprising a hinged portionhaving an up-and-down movement into and out of engagement with thesupply-conductor, and a spring holding the hinged portion against theconductor, but

not preventing the movement around the vertical axis.

4. The combination, in an electric railway, of a supply-conductor and anelectricallypropelled vehicle with an intermediate contact deviceconnected to the vehicle by a joint permitting freedom of movementaround a vertical axis, and a spring partaking of the said movementabout the vertical axis and maintaining the traveling engagement betweenthe contact device and supply-conductor.

5. The combination of the supply-conductor extending along an electricrailway, an electrically-propelled vehicle, and an intermediate contactdevice consisting of a primary part having a free swiveling motionaround a vertical axis and a spring-actuated contact supported by saidprimary part and having an independent movement relative thereto.

6. The combination of a supply-conductor, an electrically-propelledvehicle, and an intermediate contact device consisting of two parts, thefirst being jointed to the vehicle on a vertical axis and movable freelyin either direction, the second being connected to the first, but havingan independent movement in a vertical plane, and a spring tending tomove the said second part constantly in one direction, therebymaintaining electrical connection with the supply-conductor. .r

7. The combination of the supply-conductor, an electrically-propelledvehicle, and an in termediate contact device consisting of two parts,the first being jointed to the vehicle on a vertical axis and movablefreely in either direction in a horizontal plane, and the second partbeing hinged to the first part and having an independent movement in avertical plane with a spring bearing upon the two parts, respectively,whereby the spring does not interfere with the swiveling movement, butpresses the contact device constantlyinto engagement with thesupply-conductor.

8-. The combination of the supply-conductor, an electrically-propelledvehicle, and a contact device consisting of two parts hinged together,with a spring constantly holding the outer part in engagement with thesupplyconductor, the contact device as a whole being jointed to thevehicle on a vertical axis and movable freely in either direction.

9. The combination of a supply-conductor extending along an electricrailway, an electrically-propelled vehicle, and an intermediate contactdevice supported independently of the supply-conductor,but maintaining atraveling connection therewith and having afree swiveling movement abouta vertical axis.

10. The combination of a supply-conductor, an electrically-propelledvehicle, and an intermediate contact device having at one end a contactpressed upward against the supplyconductor and at its other end ajointed connection to the vehicle, permitting movement of the contactdevice about a vertical axis.

11. The combination, in an electric railway, of a supply-conductor, anelectrically-propelled vehicle, and an intermediate contact devicehaving its weight supported by the vehicle and consisting of a primarypart having freedom of movement about a vertical axis and acontact-piece carried by said primary part and spring-pressed upwardagainst the supply-conductor.

12. The combination, in an electric railway, of a supply-conductor,anelectrically-propelled vehicle, and an intermediate contact deviceconsisting of two parts hinged together, with a spring pressing theouter part upward against the supply-conductor, the contact device as awhole having freedom of movement about a vertical axis.

13. The combination,in an electric railway, of a supply-conductor, anelectrically-propelled vehicle, and an intermediate contact device withjointed connections between the vehicle and contact device, permittingmovement of the contact device upon vertical and longitudinal axes,respectively.

let. The combination, in an electric railway, of a supply-conductor, anelectrically-propelled vehicle, and an intermediate contact deviceconsisting of a primary part having freedom of movement about a verticalaxis and a contact-piece hinged to said primary part on a longitudinalaxis, with a spring maintaining the traveling engagement between thecontact device and supply-conductor.

15. The combination, in an electric railway, of a supply-conductorextending along the line of way and an electrically-propelled vehiclewith an intermediate contact device connected to and having its weightsupported by the said vehicle, whereby the said conductor is -reheve'dof strain, and a joint having a vertical axis around which the contactdevice swivels freely.

16. The combination, with alongitudinal conduit and an inclosedsupply-conductor, of

V a vehicle outside the conduit and a contactploiv extending into theconduit and connected with the vehicle through a swivel-joint,

the axis of which passes through the plow.

17. The combination of a slotted conduit and inclosed supply-conductorwith an electrically-propelled vehicle, a contact-plow consisting of aconducting-core and a protecting-guard for the core, a support for theplow, and a swivel-connection between the plow and support, allowingmovement on a vertical axis, whereby the plow may follow the sinuositiesof the slot.

18. The combination, in an electric railway,

ot a supply-conductor, an electrically-probya loose connectionpermitting a swiveling movement to the contact-conductor, whereby it mayfollow the sinuosities of the slot.

20. The combination, in an electricrailway, of a slotted conduit, aninclosed supply-conductor, and an electrically-propelled vehicle with'acontact-plow having its weight carried by the vehicle and consisting ofa shank extending through the slot and protecting the contact-conductor,anda joint around which said shank moves on a vertical axis.

21. The combination, in an electric railway, of a slotted conduit, aninclosed supply-conductor, and an electrically-propelled vehicle. withacontact-plow comprising a shank movable freely about a vertical axis, acontactpiece hinged to the said shank, and a spring. pressing thecontact-piece against the supplyconductor.

22. The combination, with a slotted conduit and inclosedsupply-conductor and an electrically-propelled vehicle, of acontact-plow movable freely about a vertical axis and comprising acontact-piece having an independent movement in addition to theswiveling movement of the remainder of the plow.

23. The combination, with a slotted conduit and inclosedsupply-conductor, of an electricallypropelled vehicle, a contact -.plowguided by the slot and supported outside the conduit, aswivel-connection between the plow I the sinuosities of the slot, and acontact-piece connected with the plow at a point within the conduit andhaving an independent movement relative thereto.

24.,The combination of a slotted conduit containing thesupply-conductors of an electric railway with a car, a frame dependingfrom said car capable of lateral movement relative to the vehicle, and acontact device movable on a vertical axis extending from said frame intothe conduit and taking current from the conductors.

25. The combination, with an electric locomotive, of a slotted conduitand two. independent contact devices extending from said locomotive intosaid conduit in line with each other, and each having an independentswivel .connection with the locomotive, whereby each may beindependently movable about'a vertical axis.

26. The combination, with a railway and an electric locomotive thereon,of a conduit, a supply-conductor therein parallel with the railway, andan intermediate contact device in yielding engagementwiththesupply-conductor and movable laterally about ahorizontal axis.

27. The combination, with a railway and an electrically-propelledvehicle thereon, of a slotted conduit, a supply-conductor thereinparallel with the railway, and a contact-plow having yielding engagementwith the supply conductor extending through the slot, and a jointedconnection between said plow and the vehicle at a point outside theconduit, permitting movement of the plow about a longitudinal axis.

28. The combination, in an electric railway, of a conduit, an inclosedsupply-conductor, and an electrically-propelled vehicle with a contactplow guided by the slot and movable laterally about a longitudinal axis,and a contact-piece connected to the plow at a point within the conduitand having an independent movement to compensate for any minorirregularities in the line of the supply-conductor.

29. The combination, with a slotted conduit andan inclosedsupplyrconductor, of an electrically-propelled vehicle, a contact-plowextending down into the slot and movable later-all y relatively to thevehicle, and a hinged contact-piece connected to the plow ata pointinside the conduit and having an independent movement relatively to theremainder-of the plow. v e

30. The combination, in an electric railway, of a conduit,asupply-conductor, and an elec- IIO trically-propelled vehicle with anintermedii ate contact-device consisting of an arm or.

shank, and a contact-conductor having yielding contact with thelineconductor within and protected by said arm or shank,*and a jointpermitting lateral movement of thefcontact device about a' longitudinalaxis.

31. The combination, with a conduit and inclosed conductor, of anelectrically -propelled vehicle and an intermediate yielding contactdevice consisting of a conducting-core and a protecting-guard thereforand a jointed attachment between the said contactdevice and its support,permitting movement about a longitudinal axis.

32. The combination, in an electric railway, of a conduit, an inclosedsupply-conductor, and an intermediate contact-plow consisting of anupright part extending down into the conduit and movable laterallyrelative to the vehicle and a contact-piece hinged to the upright parton a longitudinal axis at a point within the conduit.

33. The combination, in an electric railway, of a supply-conductorextending along the 4 line of way with an electrically-propelled vehicleand anintermediate contact device jointed to the vehicle on alongitudinal axis and carrying a spring-actuated contact-piece forengagement with the supply-conductor.

34. The combination of an electric locomotive, a stationarysupply-conductor, and a contact device for engagement therewith, havinga hook-and-eye attachment to the vehicle.

35. The combination, with arailway-track, of a vehicle thereon,a conduitparallel therewith containing a supply-conductor and having alongitudinal slot, and a yielding contactplow depending from saidvehicle by a universal joint and extending into the slot.

36. The combination, with a conduit, an inclosed supply-conductor, andan electricallypropelled vehicle with a contact-conductor movablelaterally relative to the vehicle, of a drawing connection connected tothe contactconductor and the vehicle at its two ends, respectively,whereby the contact-conductor is drawn along in operative position toengage the supply-conductor.

37. The combination, with a conduit, aninclosed supply-conductor, and anelectricallypropelled vehicle, of an intermediatecontact device forengagement with the inclosed conductor movable laterally relatively tothe vehicle, and a drawing connection attached to the contact device ata point outside the c0nduit and extending forward to the vehicle,whereby the contact device is propelled along the conduit.

38. The combination, with a slotted conduit and inclosedsupply-conductor, of a vehicle, a contact-conductorhavingitsweightsupported at a point outside the conduit and movable laterallythereto, and a drawing connection between the vehicle and the contact,permitting freedom of lateral movement.

39. The combination of a conduit, an inclosed conductor, anelectrically-propelled vehicle, and an intermediate contact devicemovable laterally relative to the vehicle and adapted to be drawn alongthe conduit with a flexible mechanical drawing connection partaking ofthe lateral movement attached to the vehicle and contact device,respectively.

40. The combination, in an electric railway,

of a conduit, an inclosed supply-conductor, an electrically-propelledvehicle, and a contact device movable laterally relatively to thevehicle and supported so that the contact device is free to tip up onmeeting an obstruction, with a drawing connection between the contactdevice and vehicle, attached to the former at such a point that the pullupon the drawing connection will oppose the tendency of the contactdevice to tip up, thereby insuring the maintenance of the contact devicein its normal operative position.

41. The combination, in an electric railway, of a conduit, an inclosedsupplyconductor, and a contact device movable laterally relativel y tothe vehicle and supported outside of the conduit, so that it is free totip up on meeting an obstruction, with a propelling connection betweenthe vehicle and contact device, attached to the latter at such a pointthat the strain upon the propelling connection will oppose, the tendencyof the contact device to tip up, thereby holding the contact device inengagement with the supply-conductor.

42. The combination, in an electric railway,

of a conduit, an inclosed. supply-conductor,

and a contact device movable laterally relatively to the vehicle andadapted to be drawn along the conduit, with a drawing connection betweenthe vehicle and contact device, at

tached to the latter in advance of its point of support, whereby thetendency of the contact device to tip up on meeting an obstruction isresisted.

43. The combination, in an electric railway, of a conduit, an inclosedsupply-conductor, and an electrically-propelled vehicle with a contactdevice movable laterally relatively to the vehicle and supported outsideof the conduit, and a propelling connection attached to the vehicle-andto the contact device at a point below its point of support, whereby thetendency of the contact device to tip up on meeting an obstruction isopposed by the pull upon the drawing connection.

44. The combination of a conduit, an inclosed supply-conductor, and anelectricallypropelled vehicle with a contact device movable laterallyrelatively to the vehicle, draw- ITO ing connection between the contactdevice and vehicle, and means forholding the contact device down in aposition to engage the supply-conductor.

45. The combination, in an electric railway, of a supply-conductor, anelectrically-propelled vehicle and an intermediate contact deviceconsisting of an upright rigid arm having a contact-piece at its outerend held by spring-pressure against the line conductor and seated at itsinner end at a fixed point upon. the vehicle by a loose connection,allowing universal freedom of movement to the contact device.

46. The combination, in an electric railway, of a bared line conductorand anelectricallypropelled vehicle with an intermediate contact devicemounted upon the vehicle and having its weight carried thereby, and aloose connection between the'vehicle and contact device at. one end ofthe latter, permitting freedom of movement in all directions about saidpoint of connection as a center.

47. The combination, in an electric railway, of a supply-conductorextending along the line-of way, and an electrically-propelled vehiclewhereby the weight of the contact-device is taken off thesupply-conductor, a loose connection between one endof said contact"device and the vehicle,-allowing movement of the said contact in' alldirections about said point of connection asa center, and acontact-piece forming an extension of the contact device at its outerend and maintaining'a traveling connection with the supplyconductor. 7

48. The combination, with a supply-conductor, an electrically-propelledvehicle, and an intermediate contact device having a Q jointedattachment to the vehicle permitting lateral movement of thecontact, butnot holding the same in engagement with the supplyconductor, and aseparate mechanical con nection between .the contact device and vehicle,holding the contact device in a position to engage the supply-conductor,whereby if the said connection breaks the contact device will breakcircuit with the supply-conductor, but will not become detachedfrom thevehicle.

49. The combination, with the supply-conductor extending along the lineof an electric railway, of an electrically-propelled Vehicle, anintermediate contact device fulcrumed upon the vehicle, and a mechanicalconnection between the contact device at a point to one side of itsfulcrum and the vehicle, holding the contact device in a position toengage the line conductor, the contact device as a whole having alateral movement relatively to the vehicle.

tact devices and the vehicle, permitting freedom of lateral movement,and spring-actuated contact-pieces maintaining travelingelectricalzconnection with the supply-conductors, the said contactdevices being mounted on the .vehicle, so that their weight is carriedthereby.

52. The combination of two supply-conductors of opposite polarity, anelectrically propelled vehicle, and two contacts having their weightcarried by the vehicle and en gaging the supplycondnetors, respectively,with a jointed connection between the contacts and vehicle, permittingfree lateral movement of the contacts, but not holding them inengagement wit-h the conductors, and an independent flexible mechanicalconnection extending from the vehicle to the contacts at a point to oneside of the joint,

maintaining the contacts in operative posi-;,

tion.

53.'The combination, with a slotted conduit and two supply-conductors ofopposite polarity therein, of an electrically-propelled vehicle, and twocontact devices engaging the said supply-conductors, respectively, and

connections between the vehicle and contactdevices outside the conduit,permitting inde-- pendent lateral movement of the said contact devices.

54. Thecombination,in an electric railway, with a slotted conduit and asupply-conductor therein, of an electrically-propelled vehicle, anintermediate contact device, and I a horizontal axis at a point withinthe con-. duit around which the contact device moves.

55. The combination, in an electric railway, of a slotted conduit and asupply-conductor therein with an electrically-propelled vehicle, acontact-plow extending into the slot and m ovable laterally relativelyto the vehicle, and a contact shoe or piece connected to the plow at apoint inside the conduit and having an independent movement about ahorizontal axis relatively to the remainder of the plow.

56. The combination of asupply-conductor extending-alongan electricrailway with an" electrically-propelled vehicle, an intermediate contactdevice supportcd independently of the supply-conductor and maintained ina position to engage the conductor by its connection to thevehicle, and(a jointbetween the contact device and vehicle, permit-- IIO ting a freeswiveling movement about a vertical axis.

' 57. The combination of a supply-conductor extending along an electricrailway and-an.

electrically-propelled vehicle with an intermediate contact devicehaving a jointed connection with the vehicle, permitting a freeswiveling movement about avertical axis, and a mechanical connectionbetween the contact'device and vehicle acting to hold they contactdevice in a position to engage the supply-conductor.

58. The combination, with a longitudinal.

slotted conduit. and aninclosed supply-conductor, of anelectrically-propelled vehicle and a contact-plow wider longitudinallythan the transverse width of the slot extending into the cond nit andconnected with the vehicle through a swivel-j oin t, the axis of which:-

passes through the plow.

59. The combination, in an electric railway, of alongitudinal conduitand an inclosedsup-z, p1y-conductor with an electrically-propelledvehicle and acontact-plow wider longitudinally than the transverse Widthof the slot of the conduit, comprising an upright shank held againstfore-and-att movement and a oint permitting movement of the plow arounda vertical axis.

60. The combination, with an electric railway and an electric locomotivethereon, of a conduit, a supply-conductor thereon, anelectrically-propelled vehicle, and a contact device held againstfore-and-aft movement by its connections with the vehicle and movablelaterally about a horizontal axis.

61. The combination, in an electric railway, of a supply-conductor, anelectrically-propelled vehicle having its body supported upon springs,an intermediate contact device supported from the truck independently ofthe car-body and movable laterally relatively to the vehicle, and aflexible conductor forming' the electrical connection with the motor.

(32. The combination, With an electricallypropelled vehicle, of a lineconductor, an intermediate yielding contact device supported on thevehicle by free connection, permitting lateral movement of the contactdevice relatively to the vehicle to enable it to follow the lineconductor, and a chain or similar flexible device extending from a pointnear the outer end of the contact device to the vehicle.

VALTER H. KNIGHT. Attest:

E. M. BENTLEY, ALBERT E. LYNCH.

